UV Decontamination Apparatus for Computer Peripherals
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Solution Overview
Problem
Publicly accessible computer objects, such as touch-screen displays and keyboards, can spread infectious pathogens due to inadequate decontamination methods, posing a risk of contagious condition transmission among users.
Innovation Solution
A decontamination apparatus that uses ultraviolet light or a disinfectant mist to reduce pathogens on computer objects by positioning a light source or disinfectant along a decontamination path, controlled by a motor and sensor system to ensure safety and effectiveness, with a shield to contain the ultraviolet light and prevent exposure to users.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If ultraviolet light or disinfectant mist is used to decontaminate computer surfaces, then pathogen reduction effectiveness is improved, but user safety is worsened due to potential exposure to harmful decontamination agents
Solution Approach 1:
A sensor system acts as an intermediary between the decontamination apparatus and users. The sensor detects user presence and automatically controls the decontamination process, ensuring that ultraviolet light or disinfectant mist is only activated when no users are present, thus maintaining both pathogen reduction effectiveness and user safety
Solution Approach 2:
The decontamination apparatus performs self-service by automatically detecting user presence through sensors and autonomously controlling the decontamination cycle. The system activates decontamination only when sensors confirm no users are nearby, eliminating the need for manual intervention while ensuring both effectiveness and safety
2Object-affected harmful factors
If decontamination is performed frequently to reduce pathogens, then infection transmission risk is reduced, but energy consumption and operational time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The decontamination apparatus uses sensor systems to autonomously determine when decontamination is necessary by detecting user presence patterns. The system performs decontamination only when sensors indicate appropriate conditions (no users present), automatically optimizing the frequency of decontamination cycles to balance infection risk reduction with energy conservation
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts decontamination parameters based on sensor input. When user traffic is detected, the system schedules decontamination at optimal times; when no users are present for extended periods, it reduces or skips decontamination cycles, thereby adapting energy consumption to actual need while maintaining adequate pathogen reduction
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The apparatus effectively reduces the viable pathogens on computer surfaces by at least 99% or achieves high-level disinfection, minimizing the risk of infection transmission while ensuring user safety through controlled emission and containment of decontamination agents.
Implementation Method 1
a light source that emits ultraviolet light or another decontamination source
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a decontamination apparatus for rendering an object pathogen reduced. The decontamination apparatus includes a frame to be positioned in suitable proximity to the object to enable the decontamination apparatus to perform a decontamination process that achieves at least a predetermined minimum level of pathogen reduction on the computer peripheral. A light source coupled to the frame to be transported along a decontamination path emits ultraviolet light suitable to deactivate at least a portion of a pathogen population on the computer peripheral. A shield interferes with transmission of the ultraviolet light in directions generally away from the computer peripheral, and a controller operates the light source and transports the light source along the decontamination path during the decontamination process.